Theodore Renz, executive director of the Ridgewood Local Development Corporation (LDC) and Myrtle Avenue Business Improvement District (BID), stood before Councilman Mark Weprin and the members of the Queens Delegation last Friday afternoon in search of discretionary funds towards development of two new BIDs in Ridgewood and Glendale.

Along with nearly 85 other Queens-based hospitals, libraries, youth organizations and development groups, Renz attended the discretionary funds hearing at Queens Museum to pitch his own project.

In addition to seeking continued financial support in the 2015 budget for capital items, Renz said the BID is looking to aggregate or develop two new BIDs on Fresh Pond Road in Ridgewood and Myrtle Avenue in Glendale.

In addition to asking for capital funding to expand and develop the proposed BIDs, Renz also asked for discretionary allocations towards funding the South of Myrtle Avenue Industrial Business Zone (IBZ), and the restoration of basket service in the commercial districts of Community Board 5.

“We are looking for the support for the LDC and improvement programs, the Myrtle Ave. BID, the plaza program, retail recruitment program and a Glendale plaza program,” he added.

Renz added that there are several programs that are in desperate need of funding, however the expansion of the BID would provide additional foot traffic and business in the community.

Councilman Antonio Reynoso testified in support and suggested that the panel show their support when deliberating where funding should go for FY 2015.

“This organization is responsible for all of the economic development in this area,” Reynoso said. “They’ve done a magnificent job of both preservation and development.”

Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley also thanked Renz for coming to the hearing and urged the members of the delegation to consider the importance of funding these types of groups in the years to come.

“It is important that we support the Ridgewood LDC and all the ones we have here in the city,” Crowley said. “It is important that we are protecting these zones and making sure that the funding is there to help attract business and jobs.”